Moscow: Eventful, Busy, Crazy, and Exciting Enough to Last a Lifetime Past Review
By Katherine L (Elementary Education, The University of Texas at Austin) for
American Councils (ACTR): Advanced Russian Language & Area Studies Program (RLASP)
Yes. So much more independent and outgoing from it. Greatly impacted my cultural awareness. I am much more openminded. I know a lot about Russian history and culture aspects I could have only gained from living there. I am now double majoring thanks to this program. I absolutely loved everything about their culture.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Workload was not too bad. Teaching methods varied in every way possible. Many teachers seemed to have a general cirriculum but it was very difficult to guess what to expect the very next day. Not very good communication between teachers/staff/resident directors and students. Students were often left to communicate things between themselves. Unaware of the grading system. Grades weren't really taken at all. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Besides the first two days, everything was really up to yourself to get things done. You had to just suck it up and throw yourself out there into the city. In the end it was worth it. Only support service was our Russian tutor, besides that nobody. Expectations were met. We all became more independent after experiencing the program. However, everything they told us in pre-orientation was incorrect (about computer usage, safety, usage of "gypsy cabs", dress)... all misleading information that set us back at the beginning of the trip. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Very safe. Pretty typical neighborhood. Close to metro. Close to class. You need to buy all cookware and food. Sheets were provided. |
| * Food: |
food was average. a lot of choices for vegertarians as well. large quantity of food available. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Red Square, Armoury, Lenin's tomb, Gum department store, Train to St. Petersburg, Russian Museum, Hermitage, several dinners/outings, Swan Lake ballet, Three Sisters Chekov play, Tretyakov Gallery, circus |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Health issues were never addressed in the program. But it is VERY safe in Moscow even if you are a foriegner. No problems with safety. Nobody's life was ever put in danger. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
We had to speak Russian in every class. We needed to use Russian in everyday interactions. Mostly nobody spoke English. The only exception was in St. Petersburg. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | outgoing students would love this. be brave, don't EVER be afraid to just blabber Russian. if you love meeting people this is your program. If you love museums you would love this program more than the rest of the students as well. |
